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To Mary Milroy From RH Milroy Dec 20 1862

RHM_1862-315_1a

Petersburg W. Va.
Dec. 20th 1862
My dear Mary,
I don’t remember whether I
acknowledged the recd. of yours of the 4th enclosing
a letter from Ella or not. I have also recd. yours
of the 11th & 13th inst. It gives me much gratifica-
tion to hear that the children are all in good
health again. I was in hopes that Ben had too
much sense to get spoiled. Slaves who have
obtained their freedom are very apt to run their
freedom to excess if not restrained. You probably did
well to let Ben slide, but I fear you will find it
a severe job getting wood through the winter,
taking care of the house, cow, etc.
I sympathize deeply with my good friend C. W.
Henkle in the loss of his wife. It will throw a
gloomy shade across the hitherto peaceful & pleasant
path of his life, & destroy much of his attraction
to earth. I would dearly like to come home if
my sense of duty would permit. You say that Ella
wonders why I cannot come home like other officers do.
Tell her the reason is that I cannot get my own
consent to act the rascal, because other officers do it,

This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.

Petersburg W. Va.
Dec. 20th 1862
My dear Mary,
I don’t remember whether I
acknowledged the recd. of yours of the 4th enclosing
a letter from Ella or not. I have also recd. yours
of the 11th & 13th inst. It gives me much gratifica-
tion to hear that the children are all in good
health again. I was in hopes that Ben had too
much sense to get spoiled. Slaves who have
obtained their freedom are very apt to run their
freedom to excess if not restrained. You probably did
well to let Ben slide, but I fear you will find it
a severe job getting wood through the winter,
taking care of the house, cow, etc.
I sympathize deeply with my good friend C. W.
Henkle in the loss of his wife. It will throw a
gloomy shade across the hitherto peaceful & pleasant
path of his life, & destroy much of his attraction
to earth. I would dearly like to come home if
my sense of duty would permit. You say that Ella
wonders why I cannot come home like other officers do.
Tell her the reason is that I cannot get my own
consent to act the rascal, because other officers do it,

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This item is owned by the Jasper County Public Library. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the Director of the Jasper County Public Library, Rensselaer, Indiana. Please visit www.myjcpl.org for more information.